Chapter 85 - Night Haunted by Whispers
The darkness in the village was deeper than ever before, more profound than anything imaginable. The moon above was pale as milk, yet its light failed to reach this place. Amid the sounds of unknown beasts, a boy dressed in black walked toward them. He didn't need a torch to find his way; he followed only the animalistic cries.
Walking through the darkness, he didn't run, he didn't scream… he didn't even breathe. All he could think about was his sea of regrets, his choices. The boy wasn't crying, but his soul was. The regret of not returning someone's words, of running away when he shouldn't have. Of being a coward when it came to his feelings.
The boy, his cloak, and scarf were swept by a wind coming from the center of that place. Those creatures knew he wasn't running away, but they were hungry for souls. They didn't care if he was a sacrifice or not. All they craved was to devour life, like an echo of their destructive god.
Luke thought about his choices since he touched the tree, about his actions, his feelings. Then he asked himself, 'How can someone so empty have so many regrets inside?' He didn't know. He didn't understand what these things were that he had buried deep within himself. He tried to comprehend, but there was no manual… especially for someone as confused as he was. What good was intelligence if he couldn't grasp something as simple as an emotion? That was what troubled him. Emotions and bonds were things he couldn't apply logic to.
The screams grew louder, but they didn't draw closer. They were pleased with the feast they would have from the lamb that came willingly. But even so, they screamed loudly to frighten their prey. The more fear it felt, the better for them.
Luke was torn, still questioning why he was doing this… even knowing he would die. Both sides of what he called 'emotion and reason' reached the same conclusion. Reason he understood, but emotion… he didn't know what that fuel was that was more powerful than anything. How could a human being accept death like this for someone else? That was what puzzled him. His reason understood that the best outcome was to give Alice and Anna a chance to escape, only then could that person benefit from the card. But that same reason… was making him feel a living fear and immense regret. This reason tried to convince him to betray them and run… but the emotion. The emotion was something he didn't understand, was he doing this for that person or for himself? Was he doing this to protect the girls? He didn't know.
Those minutes could have lasted an eternity; he walked through the dark village, hoping those people had already gotten as far away as possible because he didn't want to see the look on their faces as they watched him die. He also didn't want to see their death faces. In the end, he was alone, walking to his death on his empty throne… with no one by his side. But why was he at peace with his decision? That was what he wondered. It was a powerful feeling that he had denied having with any other human being. 'You promised to change' echoed in his mind. But what was change? Not even he understood when those things started to grow inside him.
Luke walked through the darkness, the forest around him more alive than ever. But he didn't know if the things moving in the darkness were branches or creatures.
I said I wouldn't trust anyone with my life… and I'm not. It's just me… and I'm alone… as I've always been…
Is this what it means to have a bond? To risk yourself for someone like this? I don't know if I'm just being selfish… or stupid. I needed more time to understand what I feel for these people, but I was close…
The inn's building grew larger as he approached.
I just needed more time… then I would understand why I feel this emptiness. I would understand why this emptiness doesn't bother me when I'm around these people.
I just wanted to see that person one more time…
Luke stood in front of the inn, and the woman was already waiting for him.
"The lamb has arrived for slaughter... unarmed, I hope?"
"No, but I know I don't stand a chance against them," Luke replied, locking eyes with her, unafraid of whatever might be standing by her side. A small part of him was relieved that there seemed to be nothing there.
"My son is right behind you, don't worry," she added.
It was incredibly dark, but Luke knew she could see him clearly.
"What about those other people? Will you let them go in peace?" he asked.
The woman glanced upward behind him and murmured something in a foreign tongue.
"Those people of yours… they're gone now, no longer our concern."
"That easy?" Luke asked, suspicious.
He could feel her eyes on him.
"You'll be enough… defective offspring…"
So, they're really gone… good…
He let out a sigh of relief, staring at the ground. Was that a tear that hit the dirt? He didn't want to know, didn't dare lift a hand to his face to check.
"Do you want to die out here, or inside?" she asked.
"You'll have to carry my body inside anyway, right? So… at least give me a few seconds to reflect."
"Fine... but remember, my son and his friends are all standing right behind you."
"Yes… I can feel that they're eager for blood."
Cold breaths brushed against the back of his neck.
"Perfect! He said he wants to have a chat with you first. It'll be wonderful to see my son make a friend and then kill him."
The woman opened the door to the inn, motioning for Luke to enter.
Luke stepped inside and began to climb the stairs. The woman followed behind, her voice joined by the whispers of many others in a language he couldn't understand.
"Remember your room?" she asked, with a hint of amusement.
"I do…"
As he entered the room, he paused.
"Sit on the bed, facing away from the door… and don't look back, not yet. You're not supposed to die just yet."
"I understand…"
She drew a dagger and then guided Luke to the middle of the room, far from the door. Luke sat down, and she returned to the doorway behind him.
Whispers in a foreign language began to fill the room.
"I'll translate my son's words for you," she said.
"Alright..." Luke replied.
The whispers grew louder, and the air around him started to chill. Luke wanted to cover his ears, but any sudden movement might provoke them. Even though he was trembling with fear, all he could do was try to buy as much time as possible for the two girls—whose feelings he still couldn't fully comprehend—by engaging with the unknown.
"What's your name?" the woman asked as she translated the Whispers.
"Lucan, just Lucan."
The whispers intensified.
"Lucan... why do you smell familiar to them?"
"I don't know…"
"Hmm…"
He could feel the oxygen draining from the room, making it harder to breathe. The whispers grew even louder.
"What is your Inner God like?"
"I don't know… I've never seen it…"
"What did you say?" she asked, her tone now irritated.
The whispers grew louder.
"They say you didn't lie... strange, very strange..."
"I think so too..." Luke attempted to be sarcastic, but he felt the air around him stir.
The whispers continued in their unknown language, sounds and words that no one should ever hear.
"Are you the envoy of the Vice God?"
"I have no idea what that even is."
She stared at him from behind, and the whispers grew louder again, this time becoming long and drawn out. It seemed like they were arguing with each other. More whispers joined in, filling the room with a sea of murmurs. Luke had never heard so many voices.
"Their last question, Lucan. Are you ready?" she asked with a smile.
"No..."
She laughed.
"How many moons are in the sky?"
"Two..."
The whispers erupted into shrill screams, scratching at the walls. Furniture shattered, and objects flew across the room.
"HOW?" the woman screamed. "HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT!?"